Phyllis Logan Biography

Born in Renfrewshire, Scotland, Phyllis Logan spent her childhood in the historic countryside of Paisley. She graduated from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow with the James Birdie gold medal in 1977.

Phyllis began her professional career in the Dundee Repertory Theatre before leaving for stage work in Edinburgh. She was a regular on many Scottish television programs before starring in her breakout film role, Another Time, Another Place (1983). In the leading role of Janie, she took home the Gold Award for Best Actress at the Taormina Film Festival and the Evening Standard
Award for Best Actress in 1983. She went on to win the BAFTA Award for Most Promising Newcomer to Leading Film roles in 1984. The same year, she was also nominated for the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role.

Phyllis continued her film career in The Chain (1984), Every Picture Tells a Story (1984) and Secrets & Lies (1996), as well as appearing in many television programs. She played the role of the beloved Mrs. Hughes on ITV's Downton Abbey from 2010 to 2015, reclaiming the role for both subsequent movie productions Downton Abbey (2019) and Downton Abbey: A New Era (2022).

She also has a history of voice acting, including the telescreen announcer in the movie adaptation of Nineteen Eighty-Four (1984) and the Loch Ness Monster in the animated film Freddie as F.R.O.7. (1992).

Phyllis is a dedicated supporter of improving the welfare of dementia patients through her charity work. She is currently the ambassador of the charity Dementia UK. She is heavily involved with their awareness campaign, Time for A Cuppa – a fundraiser that raises money through throwing baked goods and tea parties. Phyllis has offered several dessert recipes through the Dementia UK
website for support.

She is married to fellow actor Kevin McNally, whom she met during the filming of the television mini-series Love and Reason (1994). They have one son together, who was born in 1994. She currently resides in Chiswick with her family.

Filmography: 

Downton Abbey: A New Era (2022)
Last Train to Christmas (2021)
The Last Bus (2021)
Misbehaviour (2020)
Downton Abbey (2019)
Nativity! (2009)
Crust (2003)
Shooting Fish (1997)
Secrets & Lies (1996)
Silent Cries / Guests of the Emperor (1993)
Soft Top Hard Shoulder (1992)
Freddie as F.R.O.7. (1992)
The Dark Sun (1990)
The Angry Earth (1989)
The Legendary Life of Ernest Hemingway (1989)
The Kitchen Toto (1987)
The Inquiry (1987)
The Doctor and the Devils (1985)
Nineteen Eighty-Four (1984)
The Chain (1984)
Another Time, Another Place (1983)